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Study: Chiropractic more cost effective in work injuries

A February 2003 independent commissioned study by the Texas Chiropractic Association found that people suffering work-related back injuries recovered at significantly less cost under chiropractic care as opposed to other forms of care available. In fact, as the percentage of care provided by a chiropractor increased, so did the savings.

 

The study was designed to answer two questions:

 

1.      Is chiropractic responsible for the ever-increasing costs in the Texas workers' compensation system?

 

2.      Is chiropractic a cost-effective option for people with work-related back injuries?

 

The study examined more than 900,000 workers' compensation claims received from 1996 to 2001 and more than 70 articles and published studies on the cost and effectiveness of chiropractic care.

 

Among the findings:

 

1.                  Low back and neck injuries accounted for 38 percent of all claims.

 

2.                  While chiropractors took care of about 30 percent of the low back injuries, they were only responsible for 9.1 percent of the total costs.

 

3.                  The average claim for a low back injury case was $15,884. If a chiropractor provided at least 75 percent of the care, the total cost was decreased to $12,202. If the chiropractor provided at least 90 percent of the care the average cost dropped to $7,632.

 

4.                  The savings under chiropractic care may be even more profound because the average cost per claim of $15,884 did not include the cost of medications involved in the medical care programs.

 

Based on these figures, the study concluded that:

 

1.                  Chiropractic's costs are the lowest in the Texas workers' compensation system. "Chiropractic care is associated with lower...costs and more rapid recovery in the overwhelming majority of studies concerning chiropractic care and workers' compensation costs."

 

2.                  Chiropractic cannot be blamed for the state's rising workers' compensation costs. "To be a significant factor in driving costs, chiropractic would have to be demonstrated as a vastly more expensive means of [care]."

 

Commentary: Anyone with an on-the-job back or neck injury obviously should seek the care of a chiropractor. If permission is required from your employer in your state, take this article to them and ask for permission. Your employer can order a copy of the study from the Texas Chiropractic Association, 815 Brazos, Suite 802, Austin, TX 78701. Their phone number is 512-477-9292.